[L] stomach and esophagus; [S] heartburn, and can lead to other severe disorders;

reflux of stomach contents into the esophagus; usually caused by an incompetent lower esophageal sphincter;

Giardia

[L] microvilli of the intestinal walls; [T] an intestinal protozoa that does affect Westerners;

[F] this protozoa (single-celled animal) has a large, sucking disc which adheres to microvilli; [S] ;

giardiasis

[L] microvilli of the intestinal walls; [T] the infection that comes from the Giardia parasite;

greater omentum

[L] extends from the greater curvature of the stomach to the transverse colon.

gut

[L] below the chest to the hips (in a developing embryo)

not a specific medical anatomic term, but only a method of designating the external area specific to organs of digestion.

halitosis

offensive breath

can be REAL and the result of ingested substances; gingival disease, food fermentation in mouth; association with systemic diseases i.e. diabetic acidosis; or can be IMAGINED and the result of anxiety disorders, obsessive disorders, paranoia, or hypochondria;

heartburn

[T] a symptom of GI illness; [L] from the chest and arms, rising upward to the neck.

a retrosternal sensation of burning felt in waves and arising upward toward the neck.

Helicobacter pylori

intestinal bacteria

hematemesis

[T] a symptom of GI illness

vomiting of blood.

hematochezia

[T] a symptom of GI illness

the passage of bloody stools.

hepatic duct

[L] very near the gallbladder;

joins with the cystic duct after the cystic duct drains the gallbladder; part of the common bile duct;

A (spread thru contaminated food or water; slow onset, recovery expected), B (spread by blood or sexual contact or thru contaminated needles or instruments; there is a vaccine; can be fatal) or C (blood transfusions or needles from drug use; acute illness may progress to chronic hepatitis)

the protrusion of a loop or knuckle of an organ or tissue thru an abnormal opening.

hiatal hernia

the protrusion of the stomach above the diaphragm; [T] sliding hiatal hernia, and paraesophageal hiatus hernia.

Hirschsprung disease

[L] colon;

synonym for congenital megacolon, or a dilatation and hypertrophy of the colon due to the sustained contraction of the muscles of the rectosigmoid

hypertrophy

universal

a general increase in size of an organ's cells, not due to tumor formation; this does not mean that the number of cells increases, just the size of the cells. Ex: Muscles can hypertrophy when people take steroids.

ileocecal valve

[L] the area where the small intestine makes the transition to the large intestine.

ileum

the 3rd main region of the small intestine

ileus

[L] intestine; a common [T] is adynamic ileus

a temporary cessation of intestinal peristalsis, which often leads to obstruction.

inflammatory bowel disease

2 common types: Crohn disease, ulcerative colitis;

can be used to describe a variety of bowel disorders which are inflammatory in nature, whose etiology cannot be directly determined.

inguinal hernia

[L] inguinal canal; [T] direct and indirect inguinal hernias;

intussusception

occurs when a segment of bowel advances and protrudes into the segment distal to it.

[S] cramping, dizziness, sweating, complete evacuation of the bowel all at once;

jaundice

[L] usually indicates a problem with the liver; [T] a syndrome; many types of j.

[S] characterized by the bile pigment in the skin, mucous membranes, and sclerae with a resulting yellow appearance;

jejunum

the 2nd main region of the small intestine

labium

lip

large intestine

[L] the distal-most portion of the alimentary canal

"large" because - 6 cm in diameter; widest portion of the canal; most water is absorbed and feces are formed; divided into Four Major Regions; no villi in the large intestine; contains teniae coli; there are bulges called sacculations or haustra;

large intestine: name the 4 Major Regions

cecum, colon, rectum, anal canal or anus

lesser omentum

[L] extends from the lesser curvature of the stomach to the underside of the liver.

leukoplakia

[L] mucous membranes; [T] oral l. is the most common;

[S] a white patch that will not rub off & considered to be premalignant (precancerous) lesion, common in smokers.

lingual

[L] pertaining to the tongue

lingual frenulum

[L] connects the tongue to the floor of the mouth

frenulum is a general term for a membrane which curbs or limits the movement of an organ or part.

liver

[T] largest gland in the body;

made up of many liver lobules which produce bile; secretes directly into the a. canal via ducts; therefore, important to digestion.

lumen

[L] innermost part of the a. canal

4 layers which surround the lumen; See alimentary canal (LAYERS)

malabsorption

[L] intestine;

[F] m. is a signal that necessary nutrients are not being absorbed properly; [S] combination of weight loss, diarrhea, and anemia indicate m.

melena (n) or melenic (adj)

[T] a symptom of GI illness

refers to the passage of dark and pitchy stools stained with blood pigment and black vomit.

microvilli

a minute projection of cell membrane that greatly increases the surface area.

mucosa layer of lumen

innermost / 1st layer of the lumen

3 functions: distention, absorption, secretion.

mumps

[L] salivary gland; [T] an acute, highly contagious viral disease;

[S] causes painful enlargement of the salivary glands; primarily in children under 15;

muscularis layer of lumen

3rd layer of the lumen

function: peristalsis occurs here; See peristalsis. The muscularis contains valves or sphincters which are especially thickened circular muscles which occur in strategic places w/in the canal to regulate food passage.

nasopharynx

[L] throat; a posterior continuation of the nasal cavity.

not part of the digestive system.

nausea

[T] a symptom of GI illness; [L] epigastric and abdominal area.

an unpleasant sensation which often results in vomiting.

obstipation

[T] a symptom of GI illness

constipation that continues for a prolonged period of time.

obstruction

[L] Re: gastroenterology - in the intestine;

[F] an indicator of adhesions, hernias, tumors, foreign bodies, inflammatory bowel disease, fecal impaction, and volvulus; [S] usually refers to a complete arrest or serious impairment to the passage of intestinal contents;

odynophagia

[T] a symptom of GI illness; [L] throat pain during swallowing.

omentum

[L] part of the alimentary canal or GI tract.

when 2 organs are next to each other, double folds of peritoneum (omentum) pass between them to support and transmit vessels and nerves to and from the organs. Omentum consists of 2 sections: lesser omentum and greater omentum.

oropharynx

[L] throat; extends from the soft palate within the mouth to the level of the hyoid bone.

pallor

[T] a symptom of GI illness; [L] skin

paleness or the absence of skin color

pancreas

[L] abdomen; involved in the both the digestive system and the endocrine system.

creates juices and secretes them into the duodenum for the breakdown of foods; secretes directly into the a. canal via ducts; therefore, important to digestion.

pancreatitis

[L] pancreas;

[S] inflammation;

papillae

[L] tongue

small elevations on the tongue that are important in the process of digestion